Hart’s Landing by Melanie Harlow

 

Four friends made a promise to live one night like it was their last.

That night changed everything.

Ten years ago, Mila Ferguson fled Hart’s Landing with a devastating fire, a stolen kiss, and a shattered circle of friends in her wake. But when a crisis brings her home, Mila just wants to get in and get out, unscathed by her mother’s constant criticism and unseen by her former crush, Everett McKean.

Only...Everett is everywhere. The boy Mila once loved is now the town’s scorching hot, beloved mayor. And when he’s not serving his constituents or running the family farm, Everett is taking advantage of his second chance with Mila―the one who got away.

As Mila reconnects to her roots and opens her heart, she discovers that coming home again isn’t about where you’ve been―it’s about who you’re brave enough to become. But when old wounds threaten to open after questions emerge about what really happened the night Mila left, it’s that bravery that will finally set her free.

Sexy, heartfelt, and steeped in small-town charm, Hart’s Landing is a story of forgiveness, friendship, and finding the family who loves you no matter how far you wander.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241652009-hart-s-landing

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A great start to what I think will be a great series! Well, at least it better be a series because I see a lot of unfinished business and characters to explore. Mila and her closest friends meet together one night their senior year of high school to remember their best friend who died that year from cancer. Their meeting was about each of them fulfilling an important task set to them by their dear friend. For Mila, it meant telling the boy she liked how she feels. But the night instead ends with a fire that has her fleeing from Hart’s Landing for ten years. Now, she must return home to take care of her mother, a woman who has made it her job to critique Mila in every way possible. It will be a long six weeks. But coming also means facing the past, reconnecting with the friends she drifted from, and seeing the boy she liked. Everett is now the mayor of the town and when he sees Mila again, all the questions of what if come to surface. He has a second chance with Mila and he won’t screw it up. He’ll prove to Mila that he is nothing like her exes and that he will always been in her corner. But will she let him? Absolutely loved this story. It was so much fun getting to know a new town and cast of characters. I definitely spotted some potential couples and I loved getting to know Mila and Everett. I also loved Mila’s journey with herself. We see her find the strength and confidence to be herself and stand up for herself in a way she never believed she could. We get to see Everett find a love he never imagined he would want or have. And adored how these two fought for one another. Great, great story and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hockey Rules Book 6: Never Announce You’re Dating The Massage Therapist by Portia Blake

 

Hockey Rules Book 6

I blame the heart monitor. 

When I find myself at Florian Richter’s hospital bedside, I’m only there because Coach asked. The icy German defenseman has avoided me since the day he bolted from my massage table.

So when he wakes up with amnesia and assumes I’m his boyfriend? I attempt to correct him. Obviously. After all, he’s straight. Not that he’s ever been linked with anyone.

But then his heart monitor starts racing, nurses come running, and suddenly I’m telling everyone that yes, we’re absolutely together, and yes, I’ll take him home.

Now I’m fake-dating a man who used to scurry away when he saw me. This Florian looks at me with adoration. This Florian announces to a crowd of paparazzi outside the hospital that I’m his boyfriend.

This Florian will get his memory back at any moment.

And when he does, he’ll remember he can’t stand me.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247962452-rule-6

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

When Florian is knocked out during his hockey game, Mateo finds himself at this bedside. Florian hasn’t woken up and with family traveling to meet him and the team going on the road, Coach as Mateo to be there. Little does he know that Florian has been avoiding Mateo. Mateo is a massage therapist for the team and for some reason, he can’t figure out what he did to Florian that makes him avoid Mateo. So is he the best to be at his bedside? He doesn’t think so. But he won’t leave him either. But things turn complicated when Florian wakes up with no memory of the last several weeks and assumes that Mateo is his boyfriend. Mateo tries to correct him but between the doctors coming in and out and then the heart monitor going off, Mateo realizes he may do more harm than good. It’s fine though, he can take Florian for a bit and then he’ll tell him. But then Florian just keeps telling everyone they are together, and then his family arrives, and reporters are there. And Mateo realizes he is in deep trouble. Then when Florian remembers? Well, doesn’t look like either are off the hook. Oh man, poor Mateo in this book LOL. He tries so hard to tell Florian but Florian is just so happy to realize that he must have come out and stopped hiding and he is happy. This hockey team has the most adventurous and humorous ways to fall in love! You will be entertained for sure!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dirty Little Secret by Riley Hart

James

I’m forty years old, a tenured professor with investments, property, and a 401k.

But what I crave is to submit. To hand over control to Colton. We met on an app. His needs matched mine. It was only supposed to be once, then twice. No commitment, so I don’t feel bad cutting contact.

Then my world implodes when I get custody of siblings I didn’t know I have.

Everything would have been fine, I would have survived on my own, if not for Sir, my hookup, walking through the doors of my classroom.

He’s over a decade younger than me, and now I’m his professor, yet Sir is giving me schedules I need and caretaking from a distance. I know I should stay away, but I can’t. No matter what he gives me, I want more.

Colton

I’m twenty-eight years old, starting my first semester as a transfer student at a local university, finally following my dreams.

And then I see him, the sub I haven’t stopped thinking about, the one who comes undone for me in ways I’ve never experienced before. He makes all my Dominant instincts flare to life. I’ve always loved caretaking, but James makes me need it on a bone-deep level.

It’s not long before he’s on his knees for me again, surrendering in ways we both crave. He’s forbidden, my professor, my good boy, and I’m his Sir…his dirty little secret. But it’s not enough. I want it all from him, if only he’ll let me have it.

Dirty Little Secret is a student/professor romance, with an older sub and a younger Dom. Please use the look inside feature for a more in-depth content description and warning.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244999895-dirty-little-secret

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

The second time James meets Colton for a hook up, he tells himself it’s the last time. They might fit together very well for the needs they both need, but James can’t let himself go deeper than that. And turns out stopping their relationship from becoming more may have been a good call when he gets a phone alerting him that he has two young siblings he had no idea about and need him to take custody. To say his life turned upside is putting it light. He has an angry brother who doesn’t trust to do right by him or their sister and James is trying to figure out how to be a parent. And then when fall semester starts at the college he teaches at, he is shocked to find Colton as his student. Could things be more complicated? Colton can’t help but admit that he misses James and wishes they could keep seeing one another. But he knows that wasn’t the deal. Neither wanted a relationship. And when Colton is finally able to get his chance to go back to school at 28, he jumps on it. But shocked to discover that James is his professor. They do their best to keep their distance, but Colton finds he can’t. Not when James needs someone in his corner. He can do that at least. It doesn’t have to be more…until they can’t. Not with the connection between them and the friendship that is so much more. James has a lot at stake, but Colton isn’t ready to let him go. Not when he has never felt this way before. Great story with these two! James has really never had someone who wanted to stick around and it takes him a while to accept that Colton wants to be that person for him. With so much at stake, he is scared to risk it but with Colton he feels safe for the first time.  I loved seeing how their relationship developed throughout the story. It became so much more meaningful the more they got to know another. And it so wonderful to watch these two get the happy endings they both more than deserve!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
 

The Playmakers Book 1: Mr. Trick Play by Becca Jackson

 

The Playmakers Book 1

Luka

I've dreamed of being in the NHL since I was a kid, and even though I wasn't drafted to the same team as my best friend, Cosmo, I'm determined to prove I belong here.

But when I meet my new no-nonsense captain, veteran defenseman Reid Raines, there is just one problem. Reid isn't impressed by my flashy moves. In fact, he's determined to rein in risk-takers like me and teach me to play it safe.

What he doesn't know is that I have a plan of my own, one that has less to do with holding back my killer instincts and more to do with knocking him off balance with my wit and charm.

Basically, it's time to Luka-love-bomb the captain.

But the more time we spend together, on and off the ice, the harder it is to ignore a shift between us.

My infectious energy has chipped away at Reid's cool exterior, and every heated exchange feels charged with something new. Now I'm even more excited to see what will happen when the captain finally lets himself lose control.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243052542-mr-trick-play

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Luka has finally made his NHL dreams come true and he can’t wait to get started. And while he has always found a way to get along with everyone he meets, he can’t say the same for his new no-nonsense captain, Reid. Reid likes to play by the book and while Luka loves to try trick plays, Reid isn’t exactly having it. So Luka plans to do whatever he can to make Reid like him. But things take a surprising turn the more they spend time together, turns out there may be some feelings brewing between them and it is only a matter of time before their relationship shifts into something a lot better than just captain and rookie. A really fun story! These two are the opposite in a lot of ways but it’s a good thing for them because it draws out something the other really needs. For Luka, it’s being a bit more responsible on the ice rather than just strictly looking to go for flashy plays. And for Reid, it’s learning to let go a bit and having a life outside of the rink and raising his brothers. They both deserve someone to be there for them always and I really loved watching their relationship grow! This looks to be the start of a great series and I can’t wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gods Versus Monsters Hockey Book 3: A Puck Between Friends by JR Gray

 

Gods Versus Monsters Hockey Book 3

When my best friend offers to come as my date to my sister’s wedding to get back at my sister for breaking his heart, I agree thinking it will be hilarious. What I didn’t consider was that I’ve been in love with him half my life, and all the consequences of us fake dating.

My family demands I bring my new boyfriend to her shower first, and things only go downhill from there. My sister is marrying the goalie from our rival team who immediately is up in arms about us dating.

Fair, but I don’t have time to dwell on it as things quickly get weird with my best friend. Wolfe is straight, it shouldn’t be weird right? It’s fake after all. But I’m so wrong. He kisses me like I’ve never been kissed before, and then we both realize we have to keep this up for months until the wedding.

Between the unexpected sexual tension, hockey, and the secrets we are keeping. I don’t know how we’re going to get through the season.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230878838-a-puck-between-friends

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Archangel has been in love with his best friend, Wolfe, for a long time. But he has watched him date his sister (who he really doesn’t like), get cheated on by said sister, and enter a phase of no relationships, just hook ups. Oh, and Wolfe is straight. Now, a few years later, Archangel gets a call from his family that his sister is getting married and next thing he knows, Wolfe is volunteering to be his plus one. And more than that, they have to act like a couple. Archangel can see Wolfe wanting to get back at his sister a bit, but acting like a couple and Wolfe being unfazed with it all? He can’t truly let himself believe it. Especially when it comes to his heart. Wolfe loves his best friend and as they enter their fake dating phase, it feels less and less fake the longer it goes on. He is starting to realize a lot about himself, including what his actual feelings for his best friend is. These two are a wild rollercoaster of emotions! It is so clear that these two have feelings way beyond friendship and both are so worried about ruining the friendship, it leads to a lot of push and pull. But it’s a best friends to lovers story that leads exactly where they two were always meant to be with one another. This has been a fun series so far, with a lot of great characters! Hilarious banter and antics between our main couple and of course any of their hockey player teammates, you definitely don’t want to miss this latest addition to the series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love Song by Elle Kennedy

 

New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy returns with her signature heat and humor for a Briar universe standalone romance featuring the next generation Off-Campus characters―where one unforgettable summer changes everything.

After a brutal breakup, college junior Blake Logan escapes to her family’s lake house in Tahoe, determined to shut out the world. Her plan is simple: no men, no drama. Until Wyatt Graham shows up. Four years older and far too good at getting under her skin, Wyatt is the living embodiment of a “bad idea,” and the guy who shattered her pride when she confessed her crush at sixteen.

With his music career stalled, Wyatt has come to Tahoe for inspiration. The last thing he expects is to find it with Blake. He’s spent years keeping his distance, convinced he’s all wrong for her, but she’s no longer the innocent girl he once knew. She’s confident, captivating, and impossible to ignore. And the slow-burning tension between them? It’s catching fire fast.

They both know this can’t last, but one reckless kiss turns into another, and soon they’re tangled in something that feels dangerously like more. Just as they finally give in to the pull, tragedy tears them apart, leaving their hearts in pieces.

But forgetting that one, nearly perfect summer? Not a chance. And when fate brings them together again, Blake and Wyatt must decide if this is a second chance…or the final verse.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231474494-love-song

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Continuing in the next generation of the Off Campus/Briar U Universe, we finally hit a couple that features the kids of two favorites from the series. That’s right, It’s Garrett’s son and Logan’s daughter. Wyatt and Blake. And you can expect exactly what I’m sure you are imagining when it comes to the parents and their antics. Not gonna lie, probably my favorite part of the book. So, if you are keeping up with the world, you know we got a bit of a start of Blake and the guy she finally gives in to date. Now, we jump ahead in time and those two have just broken off after he cheats. And Blake is just done. She needs a summer to herself to regroup and figure out what she wants her future to look like and just to straight up figure out who she is as a person. So off to Lake Tahoe she goes. Where it will be a little while until all the families gather for their annual family trip. Just one problem. Wyatt is there. The boy she had a massive crush on and told him when she was sixteen, then there was an incident between them a few years earlier, and well, how can she expect to shut out the world if he is there? Turns out, Wyatt is there for his own regrouping. His music career is stalled and he needs to find inspiration again. He just never expected it to come in the form of Blake. The girl he has worked very hard to stay away from. He knows he isn’t good for her and he refuses to hurt her even by accident. But the two of them alone for the summer? Well, things are going to be felt and it is only a matter of time before the chemistry between them is too much to resist. Oof, the angst in this one! There is a lot going on between these two. And it hits you right in the feels every step of the way. So be prepared for some emotional rollercoasters. But on a lighter side, the book is just as funny as you would expect from this author. Like I said above, the parents are the best part with their banters and group chats. Blake and Wyatt have their own banter that is hilarious. And some side characters as well. A lot more family dynamics in this one and a whole lot of drama. Very curious to see who’s story is next!

Legends & Fury Book 1: Stick Around by EM Lindsey

 

Legends & Fury Book 1

"Would you slap a teammate for twenty-five grand?"

"Uh, yeah. There are a few I'd slap for free. Just point me in the right direction."

Problem number one: My personal life is falling apart.

Problem number two: My public life is also on thin freaking ice.

Problem number three: The ridiculously hot NHL D-man with the inability to remove his head from his ass has decided I’m his number one target.

And that last one is a bit of an issue since his idea of targeting me is to have absurdly hot hate-hookups with me in the locker room. Which I don’t necessarily mind…

Except there’s one tiny snag in his plan: I don’t like guys.

Or, well, I didn’t think I liked guys.

But when Alexio Zeki drops to his knees and, uh, gets to business, I realize my very narrow view of my own sexuality needs some adjustment.

And that’s ironic coming from a blind man.

Admitting I’m bisexual is the easy part.

Admitting I’m kind of, sort of, ridiculously into the man I claimed to hate is something else entirely. But the more he insists that I’m worth keeping, the more I start wanting to believe him.

Stick Around is the first book in the Punk as Puck spin-off series, Legends and Fury. It’s a high heat, enemies to lovers rom-com with a snarky NHL goalie who has a lot of big opinions and doesn’t care if they’re unsolicited, a PPHL goalie with a mountain of problems and no way to reach the top, locker room hookups, praise, swoony romance, a low-stakes bi-awakening, hockey bro banter, tons of chirping, and the swooniest happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242771267-stick-around

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Jonah is not having a good time lately and at the moment that stress is coming from his parents. Growing up in his house was rough. Him and his brother were born blind, and their other brother’s eyesight was just about nonexistent as well. Their father didn’t care about them, and their mother basically made their life a circus. And while they tried to cut ties, Jonah soon learns that his mother leaves the country and drops the bomb that his dad is sick and in need of care that she isn’t sticking around for. He can’t ask his brothers for help and with his job being a professional hockey player, things are getting to be a bit too much. Oh, then there is Alexio. The defenseman on the NHL team in Boston that shares the rink with Jonah’s team. Turns out him and his brother have been looking out for Jonah’s dad during his episodes and Alexio is convinced that Jonah is a terrible person for not taking care of his dad. But there is a lot more to that than Alexio knows. While their relationship starts off pretty rocky with the lack of knowing the other very, things slowly begin to change the more they find their paths crossing. And hate turns into a lot more when they push one another enough. Another thing to add to Jonah’s list of realizations, turns out he is bi. And he might just be falling for Alexio. Alexio can’t imagine abandoning his parents but he is slowly humbled when he realizes that he may not have the whole picture. Throw in the fact that he is realizing just how much he doesn’t know about the Jonah’s team and their disabilities. But it’s not too late to learn. Especially when he actually gets to know Jonah and explore the spark between them. Turns out, Jonah may be the thing Alexio has been waiting for. I loved these two! Such a great enemies to lovers story. Especially when you just wanted to shake Alexio in the beginning for being so judgy LOL. But I loved that he recognized how he was acting and wanted to learn and just be there for Jonah during a really hard time. Them falling for one another was this sweet slow romance that just got better and better as the story went on. We also got introduced to a bunch of new characters and visited a lot from the Punk as Puck series. I just cannot wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.